Let's Check in On What We're Learning!

How Do We Assess Learning in the Art Room?

In September I measured how well our Howe Manning fifth graders understood basic color theory principals. It was great to see that so many students (84%) knew the most basic: primary and secondary colors.  The assessment showed that we still need to work on those trickier ones: analogous and monochromatic colors. 

Throughout this year we practiced color theory in lessons, extension activities, and by using exit tickets.  I often ask students to line up by complementary table colors or analogous table colors.  

I checked in on what we learned in January and February and was excited to see that we've made progress! You can compare the pre and mid year results below. 

It looks like we made gains in each category

I'd love to see if we can really drive these definitions in for the end of the year!

PreK–12 STANDARD 2.7 : Elements and Principles of Design Students will demonstrate knowledge of the elements and principles of design. For color, use and be able to identify hues, values, intermediate shades, tints, tones, complementary, analogous, and monochromatic colors Demonstrate awareness of color by painting objective studies from life and free form abstractions that employ relative properties of color

Kindergartners are Mixing Colors!

How can we use the primary colors to create all other colors?

Kindergarten artists are learning about using the primary colors to make orange, green, and purple, the secondary colors.  We started out by watching this collaborative video between Sesame Street and OK Go.

Watch it as a family, its so fun!

These young artists doubled as scientists and underwent color mixing experiments. I borrowed this paint pallet set up from teach kids art.  It worked out so well and helped each student mix their colors successfully. 

Each color circle was then turned into a little bird.

Finally birds were adorned with complementary color feathers. We watched a special ballad about complementary colors to learn which color pairs complement each other.  K's loved watching these video's and would love to share them with you.

So many skills were learned: primary, secondary, and complementary colors all in one lesson. WOW!